How to Get to Dongguan Humen from Hong Kong Airport & Vice Versa

This is a short guide to taking the ferry to and from Hong Kong Airport to Dongguan Humen. You can take a bus too, but I’ve found the ferry to be more comfortable and not so tedious (especially if you have check-in luggage)!

Hong Kong Airport to Dongguan Humen

1. Buy ferry tickets inside Hong Kong Airport

Don’t clear immigration! The counters to buy the ferry tickets are right opposite the immigration counters. There are other destinations too, such as Shenzhen and Macau. You can check the timings here. A ticket to Dongguan Humen costs 350HKD (S$63.64).

If you have check-in luggage, buy the tickets at least 1 hour before departure time! This is so that they’ll have enough time to transfer your bags. If you just have carry-ons, you can get the tickets 30 minutes before.

2. Take the 3-minute train to the ferry terminal

You can go down the escalators to board the train from 30 minutes before the ferry departs. The train comes every few minutes and takes about 3 minutes to reach the ferry terminal.

3. Board the ferry

Check which counter your ferry is departing from (there’s a departure signboard similar to the ones in airports). You can most probably sit anywhere you want and not follow the allocated seat on your ticket as the ferry likely won’t be crowded.

4. Collect your luggage before clearing immigration

Before heading towards the immigration counters, wait for the luggage to be unloaded first. There’s always a mad rush to collect luggage, so if you’re not in a hurry, just wait at a corner to avoid the stampede!

5. Grab a Cab

There will be a bunch of drivers touting right at the exit of the port. Bargain with them if you think the price is too high! For a 10 to 15 minute journey, you can expect to pay about 25 to 30CNY (S$5.43 – S$6.52).

The driver will take you to his car (technically not a taxi) parked at the side of the road. Don’t be alarmed, it’s perfectly safe!

Dongguan Humen to Hong Kong Airport

1. Buy ferry tickets at the Dongguan Humen port

There are separate queues for different airlines. If you’re in a hurry though, just go to the one with the shortest queue! Your luggage will be checked in here and sent to the plane’s cargo directly. A ticket to Hong Kong Airport costs 300CNY (S$65.22). And make sure you will be able to reach Hong Kong Airport at least 90 minutes before your plane departure!

2. Fill in your immigration form while you wait

Get a form next to the rows of seats. There’s nothing else to do while you wait, unless you count buying a snack at the lone shop!

3. Board the ferry

I’ve found that the ride to Hong Kong Airport is generally more crowded than the one to Dongguan Humen. Packed, even. Follow the allocated seat printed on your ferry ticket this time!

4. Claim your tax refund

After you’ve cleared immigration, walk straight to the little booth next to the escalator to claim your tax refund!

The ferry journey takes about 70 minutes each way. Feel free to take a long nap as there won’t be any stops in between and the ride is smooth. No vomit-inducing rocking boat here!

There’s an in-ferry magazine in English for those awake too. And you can buy cup noodles (20CNY) or snacks on board.